Saturday was as sad a day for the Vadke family here as it was for the Thackerays in Mumbai. The family shared a strong and emotional bond with Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray who died on Saturday after a cardiac arrest.

Pandurang Savlaram Vadke, popularly known as Kaka Vadke, was among the first Shiv Sainiks in Pune and his association with Thackeray dates back to days when Shiv Sena was yet to be established. Vadke had been Shiv Sena's Pune face for over three decades  till his death in 2000.

According to his family, though Vadke was the Sena office-bearer in the city, the relationship between him and Balasaheb was beyond that of a party worker and its chief.

Snehalata, Vadke's wife, reminisces, "Their relationship was not limited to the political needs. It was a more profound one. There was a brotherly love. Whenever we went to Mumbai we used to visit Balasaheb. Whenever he came to Pune he would visit us. He was fond of non-vegetarian food. While in city he would convey to my husband that he would drop by to have food. He liked biryani and fish. As he was averse to spicy food, we had to be careful while cooking."

She adds: "Before the Sena was established, he used to reside in a much smaller bungalow in Dadar, where we had gone quite a few times. Then the Sena chief moved in to his present residence in Kalanagar, which was much smaller in the beginning and was later renovated and expanded to the bungalow which is now called Matoshree."

The first time Balasaheb visited their residence in Shimpi Ali in Kasba Peth was in 1964 when Vadke had invited him to inaugurate a Ganpati Exhibition organised by his trust. "He came and had food here," says Snehalata, pointing to a space in her living room.

TERMS OF USE: The views expressed in comments published on indianexpress.com are those of the comment writer's alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of The Indian Express Group or its staff. Comments are automatically posted live; however, indianexpress.com reserves the right to take it down at any time. We also reserve the right not to publish comments that are abusive, obscene, inflammatory, derogatory or defamatory.